August 2008

August was full of fun and firsts. To start the month off, Jeff and I vacationed for a long weekend with Greg and Sarah Abbott in Florida. We had a great time! One day we rented scooters and rode over 100 miles that day. We rode out to Sanibel and Captiva Islands and back. The weather was great and the company was even better.

Michael had his first day of school this month too. He is now an official preschooler, and he loves it! His teacher is Miss Martha, and he has 9 other boys/girls in his class. He goes Tuesday and Thursdays from 9-2pm. It's been kind of a bitter sweet experience. He has been so excited to finally go to school...but I miss him. And so does Andrew. But he is having a great time and meeting lots of new friends. Plus, it gives me some one on one time with Andrew; something he's never had. All in all, it's been a great experience so far.

Andrew also experienced a first...his first hair cut. Yes...some of the curls are gone. But it's not bad. His hair was getting so long it was becoming a little too much like a mullet for our liking. I didn't get any pictures of the actual haircut b/c he was sitting on my lap and Jeff and Michael were also getting haircuts at the same time. But he did great and didn't make a fuss.

Michael also had a 4th b-day this month (on the 26th). We had a couple little parties this year instead of one big one. We celebrated the weekend before with Jeff's family and all the cousins. Then we celebrate on his actual b-day with our family and my sisters. And for playgroup we all went to Pump-It-Up. Michaels' favorite place ever!!

Waterfront Triathlon

Jeff with the boys after his race.

Jeff and Jess right after he crossed the finish line.

Ahhh...He made it!!

Off for the run.

Coming in from the bike ride.

July 13, 2008, Jeff participated in the Waterfront Triathlon that is held downtown (in Chattanooga). It's a 9/10 mi. swim, 28 mi. bike, and 6.2 mi. run. It was actually a rainy overcast day. But proved to be great for the race because they didn't overheat. It was a little difficult for us, the spectators, because we got wet. But we wouldn't have missed it for anything. It was a lot of fun to cheer Jeff on.

Happy 4th of July

July 4 2008

The week of July 4th, we made the long drive up north to Jeff's parents in Michigan. Michael fully understood this year where we were going and that he would be going fishing, on boat rides, waverunner rides, and much more. He was very excited!! We also decided to take our nephew Cameron along as company for Michael. They had an absolute blast together. The weather started out a little iffy but we had an absolutely beautiful last few days. Makes it hard to leave when you have weather like that.

It was so good to see all our family up there. We get kind of stuck in our own little bubble down here in TN sometimes. And forget how much fun we have with everyone and just how much we miss them until we are all back together.

I also tried something new this time. I had almost 500 pictures (including ones Jeff's dad took) so there was no way I could only choose a few to post. So hopefully the way I've posted them works. Hope everyone is having a great summer.

June 2008

Here's what we were up to in June.

Both boys out cold.

Campmeeting at church.

Michael & Ellie Sue

Swimming at G-ma and G-pa's pool

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!

Andrew after eating a choc. covered strawberry.

Memorial Weekend

We drove up to my parents (in Ohio) for Memorial weekend this year. We hadn't been up there since Thanksgiving, so we felt we were due a journey north. The kids traveled great-thanks to DVD's. We had a wonderful long weekend. We grilled out with family for the actual holiday. We played at the park, played LOTS in the backyard, and even made a trip to the Columbus Zoo. Thanks Nana and Papa for a fun long weekend. Can't wait to see you again real soon!!! Our next road trip is for the Fourth of July. We are going up to Michigan and can't wait to see everyone up there.

Family game of croquet.

Andrew with Great-grandma Jean

Boys playing at the park

No fear!! Andrew going down head first :)

Michael found a friend on the deck.

Andrew with Great-grandma Alma

Andrew loved this tiger at the Zoo.

Michael's favorite thing about the zoo...watching
the bears play.

Andrew and Daddy.

Happy Mothers Day!

The Dad's made breakfast for the Mom's
(a nice change of pace)

Michael giving Nana her Mother's Day gift.

Grandma opening her gift.

Jess opening her cards/gifts.

We had a wonderful Mothers day this year. Jeff's parents were visiting that weekend, and Jeff's Uncle Milt and Aunt Becky were here also. They were on their way back home from their 2 weeks in SC. We had a wonderful breakfast fixed for us by the guys. They even served us-woweee!! But best of all I had a wonderful day spent with my two boys. They are the absolute joy of my life and I thank God each day for them.

Congratulations Lindsay!!

Grandkids and Grandmas

Martz Crew

The Graduate

Family Shot

Graduation party at our house.

Michael & Andrew with their great-grandmas

Sisters :)

Group Shot

On May 4th, my sister Lindsay graduated college with a B.F.A (fine arts) in Education. She is hoping to find an Art Teaching position for this next fall. We're keeping our fingers crossed for you Linds. We had such a fun weekend. Both of my grandmas made it down here for the weekend too. It's always great to spend time with them and have my kids be around them as well. I must admit, they are still pretty spunky for 85. We even had them playing the Wii.